Blog Archives
Better Together: Constitute, Google Docs, & the National Constitution Center
March 1, 2015
This post comes to us from Zachary Elkins, Director of the Constitute Project. The Constitute Project was launched in 2013 as a way for constitution-makers, scholars, and everyday people to explore alternative ideas in constitutional design. -Ed. Constitutional reform happens more often than you might think. On average, countries around the world replace their constitutions every 19 years and amend them every two years. It’s not an easy task, even if it’s common. Constitutions are often the result...
March 1, 2015
This post comes to us from Zachary Elkins, Director of the Constitute Project. The Constitute Project was launched in 2013 as a way for constitution-makers, scholars, and everyday people to explore alternative ideas in constitutional design. -Ed. Constitutional reform happens more often than you might think. On average, countries around the world replace their constitutions every 19 years and amend them every two years. It’s not an easy task, even if it’s common. Constitutions are often the result...
Facebook & [1/3 of] Divorces
March 1, 2015
From ABC Action News: Logging onto Facebook numerous times daily has become a common routine for many people. "There's so much conversation going back and forth on Facebook," St. Petersburg resident Janet Landt said. For married couples, some of that conversation could lead to divorce. "I can see where a lot of people would get themselves in trouble," Landt said. New research from Lake Legal, a law firm in the UK, shows Facebook is being cited in a third of all divorces.
March 1, 2015
From ABC Action News: Logging onto Facebook numerous times daily has become a common routine for many people. "There's so much conversation going back and forth on Facebook," St. Petersburg resident Janet Landt said. For married couples, some of that conversation could lead to divorce. "I can see where a lot of people would get themselves in trouble," Landt said. New research from Lake Legal, a law firm in the UK, shows Facebook is being cited in a third of all divorces.
Law Day 2015: U.S. Courts to Focus on Rule of Law
March 1, 2015
For federal courts, Law Day 2015 will be an opportunity to educate the public about the rule of law, inspired in part by the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, which established the principle that no man or government is above the law. Law Day, established in 1958, is officially honored May 1 but has evolved into a month-long celebration across the nation. While some events, such as public exhibits at federal courthouses in Buffalo, NY, and Washington, D.C., are focusing specifically on the Magna...
March 1, 2015
For federal courts, Law Day 2015 will be an opportunity to educate the public about the rule of law, inspired in part by the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, which established the principle that no man or government is above the law. Law Day, established in 1958, is officially honored May 1 but has evolved into a month-long celebration across the nation. While some events, such as public exhibits at federal courthouses in Buffalo, NY, and Washington, D.C., are focusing specifically on the Magna...
Collaboration, not Litigation Ale
February 28, 2015
Salvation. The name of two intricate Belgian-style ales, created by us, Vinnie Cilurzo of Russian River Brewing and Adam Avery of Avery Brewing. After becoming friends a few years ago, we realized we both had a Salvation in our lineups. Was it going to be a problem? Should one of us relinquish the name rights? “Hell, no!” we said. In fact, it was quickly decided that we should blend the brews to catch the best qualities of each and create an even more complex and rich libation. In April 2004,...
February 28, 2015
Salvation. The name of two intricate Belgian-style ales, created by us, Vinnie Cilurzo of Russian River Brewing and Adam Avery of Avery Brewing. After becoming friends a few years ago, we realized we both had a Salvation in our lineups. Was it going to be a problem? Should one of us relinquish the name rights? “Hell, no!” we said. In fact, it was quickly decided that we should blend the brews to catch the best qualities of each and create an even more complex and rich libation. In April 2004,...
Google Maps is Only 10!
February 28, 2015
For 10 years Google Maps has made it easier to navigate and explore your world. If you hopped in your DeLorean for a trip back to before 2005, you’d remember the days when we were all dependent on paper maps, print-outs, post-its and sometimes even a compass for directions! Getting from point A to B is something we do all day, every day—from finding the fastest way to get to work, to dropping the kids off on a carpool route, to meeting friends for drinks at a new spot—so it should be as easy...
February 28, 2015
For 10 years Google Maps has made it easier to navigate and explore your world. If you hopped in your DeLorean for a trip back to before 2005, you’d remember the days when we were all dependent on paper maps, print-outs, post-its and sometimes even a compass for directions! Getting from point A to B is something we do all day, every day—from finding the fastest way to get to work, to dropping the kids off on a carpool route, to meeting friends for drinks at a new spot—so it should be as easy...
Online Workspaces Are Changing Litigation and Arbitration
February 28, 2015
As litigation becomes more global and attorneys’ relationships with clients become more value-driven, technology becomes an increasingly important part of law firm strategy. Law firms have already been transformed by the adoption of technologies that automate repetitive tasks like document assembly and help legal teams respond to the new world of big data and electronic discovery. Little attention, however, has been paid to technology that helps attorneys “lawyer” better. Just as doctors...
February 28, 2015
As litigation becomes more global and attorneys’ relationships with clients become more value-driven, technology becomes an increasingly important part of law firm strategy. Law firms have already been transformed by the adoption of technologies that automate repetitive tasks like document assembly and help legal teams respond to the new world of big data and electronic discovery. Little attention, however, has been paid to technology that helps attorneys “lawyer” better. Just as doctors...
ABA Ethics 20/20 White Paper: Alternative Litigation Financing
February 27, 2015
For almost 2 years the American Bar Association held hearings and fully researched the issue of Alternative Litigation Financing, also known as, Legal Funding. At the conclusion of their exhaustive research into the issue they published a White Paper on the topic which can be found here Their conclusion was that there is a need for the product and that attorneys should fully inform their clients about the use of such products. Here is the conclusion of the paper. The market for alternative...
February 27, 2015
For almost 2 years the American Bar Association held hearings and fully researched the issue of Alternative Litigation Financing, also known as, Legal Funding. At the conclusion of their exhaustive research into the issue they published a White Paper on the topic which can be found here Their conclusion was that there is a need for the product and that attorneys should fully inform their clients about the use of such products. Here is the conclusion of the paper. The market for alternative...
Does Current Cyber Crime Really Cause $2+ Trillion in Damages?
February 27, 2015
The conventional wisdom 20 years ago, before the Internet took over the business world, was that only about 10% of cyber crime was reported since companies did not want to admit they had been hacked. Obviously the current Internet business environment makes it almost impossible to keep cyber hacks from the public. Recent estimates are that “the cost of cyber crime to businesses worldwide range from around US$445 billion (£291 billion) to US$2 trillion a year (£1.3 billion)” according to a February...
February 27, 2015
The conventional wisdom 20 years ago, before the Internet took over the business world, was that only about 10% of cyber crime was reported since companies did not want to admit they had been hacked. Obviously the current Internet business environment makes it almost impossible to keep cyber hacks from the public. Recent estimates are that “the cost of cyber crime to businesses worldwide range from around US$445 billion (£291 billion) to US$2 trillion a year (£1.3 billion)” according to a February...
A Feeling Of Fairness for Yourself and Others May Be Key to Acceptance
February 27, 2015
A key to resolving a dispute can be fairness. A plaintiff may accept a lower figure he or she originally had in mind and the defendant may offer more than originally intended, if the offer is deemed “fair.” Studies have shown that though we have similar opinions as to what is fair for ourselves or others, our brains determine that in very different ways. People will often turn down a sure reward if it’s the result from an unfair distribution of resources, according to studies. One study...
February 27, 2015
A key to resolving a dispute can be fairness. A plaintiff may accept a lower figure he or she originally had in mind and the defendant may offer more than originally intended, if the offer is deemed “fair.” Studies have shown that though we have similar opinions as to what is fair for ourselves or others, our brains determine that in very different ways. People will often turn down a sure reward if it’s the result from an unfair distribution of resources, according to studies. One study...
Supreme Court Affirms FTC Antitrust Authority Over Licensing Boards
February 26, 2015
Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez issued the following statement regarding today's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners v. Federal Trade Commission: “Today, the Supreme Court affirmed the Federal Trade Commission’s position in recognizing that a state may not give private market participants unsupervised authority to suppress competition even if they act through a formally designated ‘state agency’. In this case,...
February 26, 2015
Federal Trade Commission Chairwoman Edith Ramirez issued the following statement regarding today's decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners v. Federal Trade Commission: “Today, the Supreme Court affirmed the Federal Trade Commission’s position in recognizing that a state may not give private market participants unsupervised authority to suppress competition even if they act through a formally designated ‘state agency’. In this case,...
